Red Sox clip Chiefs, 5-3, on Sunday

The Syracuse Chiefs, the Triple-A affiliate of the Washington Nationals, lost to the Pawtucket Red Sox, 5-3, on Sunday. Pawtucket jumped out to a 4-0 lead after two innings and tallied 18 hits in the win.

Pawtucket (37-26) got on the board in the first inning. With one out, Mitch Maier singled to right field. After a ground out, Ryan Lavarnway drew a walk. The next batter, Bryce Brentz, hit a pitch over the left-field wall and the Red Sox led 3-0.

It wouldn't take the Paw Sox long to extend their lead. Brock Holt led off with a home run over the right-field wall and Pawtucket's lead grew to 4-0.

However, Syracuse (26-36) rallied in the third inning. Francisco Soriano and Eury Perez each singled to lead off the frame. Chris Rahl laid down a sacrifice bunt to advance the runners to second and third base. Will Rhymes grounded into a fielder's choice to second base, scoring Soriano for the Chiefs first run of the game. Corey Brown then singled to right field to score Perez and cut the deficit to 4-2.

The Chiefs got another run in the fourth inning. Micah Owings led off the frame with a home run to center field and bring Syracuse within 4-3.

Pawtucket got some insurance in the eighth. With two outs, Maier singled and stole second base. Will Middlebrooks drew a walk and Lavarnway reached on an infield single to load the bases. Brentz hit a single to left field to score a run and put the Red Sox back up two, 5-3.

These two teams play game three of their four-game set Monday at 7:00. Syracuse sends right-hander Jeff Mandel, while right-hander Alfredo Aceves takes the hill for Pawtucket.